The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-04-21
Random Thoughts.
j. H. M.

q. Il.
Time works it's changes slowly, in
many instances, but the changes are
none the less radical because of the
deliberation with which they are per-
fected. And in no department Of life
are there such kaleidoscope transfor-
nations as in the political field. I'm
fortunate it is, too, that fewest of
these changes occur in the Democrat
ic party. During the long lease Of
power by the Republican party, there
has steadily grown an over-confdence,
a sort Of political self which
was and is dangerous to the party.
The party came into power during
great excitement, and the enthusiasm
attendant upon the advent of the par
ty to power was sufficient to infuse
vigor and enthusiasm into each sue
ceeding campaign for almost gener-
alton. The great secret of success
was that it was the exponent Of ad-
vanced thought upon all great ques-
tions affecting the welfare of'the peo-
pie and the country. There was moth
ing requiring pluck and determination
to meet, that could frighten the Re-
publican party, or stay its action in
any way, or to any extent. Thus peo-
pie have come to love the grand old
party for the good it has done. So
confident had the admirers Of the party
become that it was reasonably expect
ed that the march Of the party would
be still onward, from conquering to con-
quest, from conflict to victory. Grad
ually, the old excitement died out, and
especially to the new generation of
voters the record Of the desperate con-
fiicts of the brave old party became a
fond tradition, which the members of
the party delighted to boast of, and
the people to hear of.
New questions are constantly aris-
ing in a great Nation like. this, and to
a great, progressive party, there is no
stopping point. The car of progress
cannot be put into the shops, to re-
main motionless. So, when the great
Republican party, famous from its
victories over unrighteousness, comes
to the point where it is confronted
with the greatest sin, and the most
horrible crime, that any people ever
had to contend with, class Of men
who serve the party only from selfish
motives, and utterly regardless Of
principle, step up and say "here-the
Lord has guided the course and shaped
the destiny of this grand old party
long enough! We now propose to
have the Devil run it whiler' Thus
the decree goes forth that if the Re-
publican party will not bow to beer
keg, it must be defeated and broken
up in every nook and hamlet in the
State. Think Of the party Of Lincoln,
and Chase, and Grant, and Garfield, and
Logan, coming to such condition of
things! 1t is high time that the Devil
and his imps were shut off in this i'd
iocy There is nothing palmer in the
universe than that there is temper
ance sentiment crystallizing which
will soon be almost universal. Men
are remaining in both the old parties,
hoping for a better condition of
things, and in this direction they are
certain to behold some decided chang
es. As to the Republican party, it
will simply have to take strong
grounds in favor of temperance, or
die. There is no use of any other
kind of talk. The sentiment exists
throughout the State which will de-
mand and enforce this much. The
idea that little gang of half-brained
political tricksters here and there can,
with impunity, and for the sake of To-
cal notoriety, revile the pulpit, de-
nounce the press, laugh at the home,
and mock at the Christian religion,
will not find firm lodgment in the
civilization of this century. That
much is settled in the minds Of the
people.
Well, what next? Simply and only
this That the time will come-the time
ought to come-and the time is COM
ing rapidly, when the question asked
of the candidate for public trust will
be: "Are you temperance man?"
And in the light of the extent of the
liquor curse, an affirmative answer
should be all that secured support to
that candidate. A man who will seek
to place himself upon record as the
enemy of the home, the church, and
the Lord God of Hosts, certainly can